Windbreak



2 Sheets-Sheet l WINDBREAK C. A. FUGIT Filed May 14, 1934 Oct. `l 2 INVENTQR.

ATTQRNE Patented Oct. 12, 1937 UNiTED STAT;

Y PAT This invention relates to improvements in wind breaks. v 1 Y The general object of the invention is to provide an improved wind break for use in protecting fruit orchards and for use by railways against snow'and for other uses.

` Another object of the; invention is toprovide a wind break or deflector including means for entirely restricting the iiow of air therethrough.

l0 VA further( object of the invention is to provide a wind break-including novel means for deflecting air currents directed thereagainst.

Other objects and the advantages of thisrinventon will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end view of my improved wind break;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the device shown in Fig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged Section taken on line v3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear View of the wind break on a reduced scale;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of a portion of the wind break;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section t-aken on line 'I-'I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 88 of Fig. 5; Y

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the V panels in a different position;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 10 showing another position of the panels; and,

Fig. 12 is a view'simil-ar to Fig. 1 diagrammatically showing the deiection of air currents directed against the wind break.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated my improved wind break generallyrat IB. As shown the wind break Iii includes a plurality of spaced standards I2 each of which includes a vertical member I3 which is shown as an angle iron and an inclinedrmember I I which is shown also as an angle iron. The upper end of the inclined member I4 is secured to the vertical member I3 as by welding it thereto at a predetermined dist-ance below the top of the vertical member. Intermediate the height of the standards the vertical members I3 and the inclined members I4 are connected by a pair y of horizontal brace members I5 which may be secured to the-vertical members and the inclined members by welding them theretol For supporting each of the Standards I2 I provide a rear base member I2 and a frontY base member I'I each of which are preferably made of concrete and are adapted to be buried so that the ground line is flush with their upper faces. Em bedded in the rear concrete base I6 I provide a metal strap IS which is secured to the vertical member I3 by bolts IB and embedded in the front base Il I provide a metal strap 2li which is se'- cured to the inclined member Il by bolts 2|.

Adjacent their lower ends the adjacent pairs of inclined members Iii are connected by horizontal angle members 22. Y As shown in Fig. 6 each of the angle members 22 adjacent the associated inclined members I4 includes an elongated aperture 23 in which a bolt 24 is positioned. The bolt V2li includes a head portion 25 which has a width substantially equal to the diameter of the bolt and has a length greater than the diameter of the bolt. The bolt 2d is also positioned in a suitable aperture provided in the inclined member Iii andl is clamped in position by a nut 26. Thus to re move the members 22 it is only necessary to turn the bolt heads 25 horizontal'to match the apertures 23 after which the members 22 may be removed.

Adjacent their upper ends the standards I2 are connected by a plurality of plates 21 each'of which includes a vertical section 23 overlaying theV front of the vertical members and having at its lower end a rest portion 29 which engages the inclined members I4. The plates 2 further include a top portion 3G which extends over the tops of the vertical members I4 and a rear portion 3| which extends downwardly a short distance.

Equally spaced between the angle member 22 and the rest portion 2g of the plates 2l I provide deflector plates 32. As shown each of the deflector plates 32 includes a vertical portion 33 and a horizontal portion 34. Extending upwardly from the horizontal portion 34 the deflector p late includes a rest portion 35 of predetermined length and extending downwardly from the vertical por# tion 33 I provide a rest portion 36 which is ap,-A proximately twice the length of the rest portion35.VVV 'Y As shown the plates 2l and the deflector plate 52 like the angle members 22 are secured to the inclined members I4 by bolts Edf having heads 25'; The bolts 2A pass through the portions 35 and 36.

Supported between each pair of standards I2 I show three panel members 31. As shown in Figs.

3, 5, and 8 each panel member 31 includes a face plate 38 which is shown as made of corrugated metal having a reinforcing bar 39 spotwelded thereto adjacent its upper edge and a similar reinforcing bar l0 similarly secured thereto adjacent its lower edge. Intermediate the height of the panel I secure thereto as by welding an angle member 4l on which I provide a pair of spaced cylindrical members 42 which may be secured to the angle member by welding. At each end of the angle member 4l I provide a pivot member 43 each of which may include a flat portion 44 which is secured to the angle member by welding and a portion 45 which extends beyond the adjacent end of the angle member.

As shown in Fig. l the lower end of the bottom panel 31 rests on the angle member 22 while the upper portion engages the lower rest portion 36 of the lower deflector plate 32. The intermediate panel members 31 engage the upper rest portion 35 of the lower deflector plate 32 while the upper portion of this panel engages the lower rest portion 36 of the upper deector plate 32. The lower portions of the upper panel members engage the upper rest portion 35 of the upper deector plate 32 while the upper portions of this panel engage the rest portion 29 of the plate 21.

To prevent accidental dislodgment of the panels'31 I provide, on. the inclined members lil, hooked members 46 which have their open ends upward. When the panels 31 are positioned on the standards the pivot members i5 of the panels are positioned between the hook members l5 and the inclined members I4 (see Figs. 3 and 5).

Positioned in each of the cylindrical members 42 of the panels 31 I provide a brace rod 41 each of which includes a rearwardly and upwardly inclined portion 48, which terminates in a downwardly extending Vertical end portion 49 (see Fig. 9). The vertical portions 48 of the rods 41 which are associated with the lower and intermediate panels 31 are positioned in apertures 5l? provided in the horizontal brace members l5. To prevent accidental dislodgment of the brace rods a cotter pin 5| may be positioned in suitable apertures provided in the vertical portion 49 of the rod. The vertical ends 49 of the rods 41 which are associated with the upper panels are positioned in suitable apertures provided in angle members 52 which are secured to the vertical members i3 of the standards l2 (see Fig. l).

When the panels 31 are in the position shown in Fig. l they prevent wind which is directed thereagainst in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 12 from passing through the wind break. Furthermore, when the air currents strike the deiiector plates 31 these currents are deected upward thus reducing the pressure on the panels. Likewise the plate 21 deflects the air currents upward thereby increasing the effectiveness of the wind break to a greater height than the actual height of the wind break.

If desired to let some air pass through the wind break the panels 31 may be moved upwardly 01T their lower rests and swung to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 10. If a free passage of air through the wind break is desired the panels 31 may be swung to a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 11. By positioning the cylindrical members 42 approximately in line with the pivot members 45 and fastening the vertical end 49 of the rods 41 above the pivots and allowing some slack in the various connections the various positions of the panels 31 may be had without d SCOl'lnecting the brace rods 41.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel wind break which is simple in construction and highly ecient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a wind break, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of spaced standards, each of said standards including a rear member an-d an inclined member, a plurality of panel members between each of said standards and positioned one above the other, means to retain said panels in a position substantially parallel to said inclined member, a deector plate positioned between adjacent panels oi each superimposed pair of panels, said deflector plate including a substantially vertical face adapted to direct wind away from said panels thereabove, and a plate member secured to said vertical members above said inclined members, said plate member including a substantially vertical face adapted to direct wind upward.

2. In a wind break, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of spaced standards, each of said standards including an inclined member, a plurality of panel members between each of said standards positioned one above the other, means to pivotally support said panels on said inclined members, said panels being movable about said pivots to various positions, means to retain said panels in a position substantially parallel to said inclined members, a brace member adjacent each end of each panel, one end of said brace members being slackly connected to a portion of the adjacent standard and means connecting the opposite ends of said brace members and said panels whereby said panels may be swung to various positions without disconnecting said brace rods.

3. In a wind break, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of spaced standards, each of said standards including a rear member and an inclined member, said inclined member being secured to said rear member, a plurality of panel members between each of said standards and positioned one above the other, each of said panels having a pivot member at opposite ends thereof, hooked members on each of said inclined members, said panel pivots being positioned in said hooked members, means to retain said panels in a position substantially parallel to said inclined member, a deflector plate positioned between adjacent panels of each superimposed pair of panels, said deflector plate including a substantially vertical face adapted to direct wind away from said panels thereabove, and a plate member secured to said vertical members above said inclined members, said plate member including a substantially vertical face adapted to direct wind upward.

4. In a wind break, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of spaced standards, each of said standards including a rear member and an inclined front member, a plurality of panel members between each of said standards positioned one above the other, means to pivotally support said panels on said inclined members, said panels being movable about said pivots to various positions, means to retain said panels in position substantially parallel to said inclined members, each of said panels including a bearing member adjacent each end and to the rear thereof, said bearing members having an aperture therein, a brace rod associated with each of said bearing members, one end of each rod being positioned in a bearing aperture, and being pivotally and slidably movable therein, said rod inclining up- ISO accenno wardly and rearwardly from `saidbearing and the end of .saidrod opposite said bearing being Y slackly connected to a portion of an adjacent standard. t

-.`5.'In a wind break, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of spaced standards, Veach of said standards including a rear member and an inclined front member, said inclined members being secured to said rear members, a plurality of superimposed panel members pivoted between each of said standards, `a deflector plate positioned between adjacent panels of each superimposed pair of panels, each of said deflector plates including a portion engaging the adjacent panels, a horizontally extending member secured adjacent the bottoms of said inclined members, the lower portions of the lowermost panels being supported Vby said last mentioned member, a plate member secured to said vertical members and overlaying the forward faces thereof above said inclined members, said plate Vat its lower end including` a rest portion, the upper portions cf the upper panel members engaging said rest portion of said plate member, a brace rod, oneY end of said rod engaging a panel and the other end of said rod being slackly connected to a portion of an adjacent standard.

6. In a wind break, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of spaced standards, each of said standards including a vertical rear member and an inclined front member, said inclined members being secured totsaid vertical members below the tops thereof, a plurality of panel members between each of said standards positioned one above the other, each of said panels having a pivot member intermediate the height thereof at Vopposite ends, hooked members on each of said inclined members, said panel pivot members being positioned in said hooked members, a de- `hector plate positioned between adjacent panels vof each superimposed pair of panels, each of said deector plates including a substantially vertical face forward of said inclined members, each of said deflectorrplates including means engaged by the lower portions and upper portions of adjacent panels to retain said panels in positions substantially parallel to said inclined members, a horizontally extending angle member secured adjacent the bottoms of said inclined members, the lower portions of the lowermost panels being supported by said angle member, a plate member secured to said vertical members and overlaying the forward faces thereof above said inclined members, said plate at its lower end including a rest portion, the upper of the upper panel members engaging said rest portion of said plate member.

7. In a wind break, a supporting frame comprising a, pluralityiof spaced standards, each of said standards including a vertical rear member and an inclined front member, said inclined members being secured to said vertical members, a plurality of panel members between each of said standards and positioned one above the other, each of said panels having a pivot member intermediate the height thereof and at opposite ends, supports on each of said inclined members for said panel pivot members, a deflector plate positioned between adjacent panels of each superimposed pair of panels, each of said deilectcr platesincluding ka substantially vertical face forward of said inclined members, each of said deflector plates including portions engaged by the lower portions and upper portions of adjacent panels, a horizontally extending member secured adjacent thefbottoms of said inclined members, the lower portions of the lowermost Y panels being supportedby said hcrizontalm'em'- ber, a platemember secured to said vertical members andV overlaying the forward facesthereof above said inclined members, the upper portions Y of the upper panel members vengaging aportion of said plate member, each of said panels including a, bearing member adjacent each end to the rear thereof and intermediate the height thereof, said bearing member having an aperture therein, a brace rod, one end of said rod being positioned in said bearing aperture and being pivotally and slidably movable therein, said rod inclining upward and rearward from said bearing and the end of said rod opposite said bearing being slackly connected to a portion of an adjacent standard.

8. In a, wind break, a supporting frame comprising a plurality of spaced standards, each of said standardsY including a vertical rear member and an inclined front member, said inclined.

members being secured to said vertical members below the tops thereof, a plurality of panel members between each of said Vstandards and positioned one above the other, each of said panels having a pivot member intermediate the height thereof and at opposite ends, open topped hooked members on each of said inclined members, said panel pivot members being positioned in said hooked members, a deiiector plate positioned between adjacent panels of each superimposed pair of panels, each of said defiector plates including a substantially vertical face forward of said inclined members, each of said defiector plates including portions engaged by the lower portions and upper portions of adjacent panels to retain said panels in positions substantially parallel to said inclined members, a horizontally extending angle `member secured adjacent the bottoms of said inclined members, the lower portions of the lowermost panels being supported by said angle Ving said rest portion of said plate member, each of said panels including a bearing member adjacent each end to the rear thereof and intermediate'the height thereof, said bearing member having an aperture therein, a brace rod, one end ofsaid rod being positioned in said bearing aperture and being pivotally and slidablymovable therein, said rod inclining upward and rearward from said bearing and the end of said rod opposite said bearing being slackly connected to a portion of an adjacent standard.

9. In a wind break, a supporting frame including an inclined member, a plurality of panel members, means on said. inclined member and engaging said panels to secure said panels spaced one above the other in a position substantially parallel to said inclined member, and a deilector plate inclined further from the horizontal than said panels are positioned between superimposed pairs of panels.

10. In a wind break, a supporting frame including an inclined member, a plurality of panel members positioned one above the other and supported in inclined manner on Said inclined member and a deector plate positioned between said superimposed panel members, said deector plate including a portion arranged forward of the adjacent panel members, said deector plates being inclined farther from the horizontal than said panels.

11. In a Wind break, a xed supporting frame, a plurality of independently mounted, pivoted panels supported on said frame one above the other, means to retain said panels in an adjusted position, said panels in one position being adaptwhen the latter are in their adjusted position to 5 deect Wind away from said panels.

CARL A. FUGIT. 

